sliderule0

I drive a lot and end up literally spending a lot of hours driving down the interstate. I am thinking about adding an HF and VHF radio to the car to allow me to talk around the world to people. This is not a CB. Power is 100Watts or so. Any restrictions known that might interfere with cars computers?

Thanks

Scott

bclexus

You should be okay with the RF (regardless of frequency) not interfering with the car's electronics, including the ECU.

Since you mentioned talking around the world I assume you'd like to operate on 10, 15 and 20 meters. Mounting an HF antenna somewhere on the car will likely be your biggest issue. The battery/alternator taking the load when transmitting shouldn't be a problem.

Where will you be placing (mounting) the rig? Can you remote-mount the rig and use a faceplate somewhere in the driver's area? I believe some 2 Meter rigs with a detachable faceplate also have 10 Meter capability.

73s

tonyxcom

There is barely anywhere to rest my cel phone or sunglasses so mounting a radio might be tough. Remote faceplate would make things slightly easier.

K6FDE

Mike246

Interesting question.

I have a GS250 (in the UK) but have not installed any amateur equipment. I did have an issue with a window-mount camera messing up the satnav so beware!

However I do have a 2m/70cm rig in my'98 GS300 with a whip mounted on the rear wing. No problems and all works a treat.

So far as HF is concerned, I think that is a big ask. How you would get a mobile antenna to work effectively on short waves in beyond me.

​​​​​​​Good luck!

bclexus

Scott,

The small Icom IC-7000 (HF, VHF, UHF) has a removable face plate that is easily plate-mounted for a location somewhere near the driver's position.




You could use a magnet-mount on the roof for your two preferred band antennas. The IC-7000 rig has two SO-239 antenna connectors; one for HF & 50MHz bands and another for the 144/430/440MHz bands.

spoogenet

I have a cell phone that allows me to do just that. (sorry, couldn't resist)

Agree I wouldn't expect there to be interference with the car's electronics. Similarly, I trust results over theory. Computers can take interference in unexpected ways.

tonyxcom

Cel phones are great for talking to people you know. Ham radio is very different in that regard.

Ham radios are also a good backup in places where cel phones don't work.

rjm

If you are interested in "...talking to people around the world" you'd better plan on installing an amplifier that will put out 500-1000 watts. Propagation has been terrible on the HF bands and adding an amplifier will help the situation but will add to your RF interference problems with the car's electronics. Talking locally on a 2-meter transceiver should pose no problems at all at a 50 watt output level. --... ...-- -.-

er34

Back to the 90's.

bclexus

Ham radio is actually exciting and a lot of fun...and an excellent hobby to learn about RF communications, electronics, circuits, etc. You can even build (home-brew) some of your own equipment if you wish. You can communicate with people (other stations) all over the World with vast differences in interest from your own; from places like deep in rain forest jungles in South America to the North or South Pole, or places like the uninhabited Clipperton Island in the South Pacific...and meet people from heads-of-state and Kings of countries to hideouts in DPR Korea. You can bounce signals off the lunar surface and talk with our astronauts in outer space. You can compete in contests against other HAM radio operators in the U.S. and also compete against other operators worldwide, making contact with as many stations as possible over a period of 24/48 hours.

spoogenet

If the Clipperton Island is uninhabited, to whom would you be speaking?

Good summary of what ham radio can be about, and a kind reminder that our world is large and diverse, and the "common" means of communication vary with locale.

Off topic, but read an interesting article lately how the Navy's VLF systems create a bit of a man-made magnetosphere deflecting charged particles.

bclexus

There are a number of uninhabited islands where amateur HAM radio enthusiasts travel in order to set up one or more HAM radio stations in order to make contact with other operators around the world. Sometimes the expense to accomplish such a feat can run well into 6-figures and is shared by the participants. This is known as a DXpedition.

As for Clipperton Island, below is a lengthy video of a DXpedition to that tiny, uninhabited island in the Northeast Pacific Ocean for the sole purpose of setting up temporary stations (radio gear, antennas, generators, etc.) to make contact with other amateur HAM radio operators.



Of the 339 'DXCC Most Wanted List' you can see that Clipperton Island is ranked 65th, with the U.S.A. ranked 339th (or last) because we have so many licensed operators in the U.S. I just chose Clipperton Island as an example, but there are 64 other locations that are more difficult to confirm making 'QSO' contact with, many of which are also uninhabited islands and reefs that are actually underwater at high tide...or countries (like DPR Korea) that prohibit their people from having and/or operating a HAM Radio station, with certain death being the punishment.







Here are a few other rare DXpedition locations:






















A nice video about HAM Radio DXing and DXpeditions

JellyBean

This thread makes me want to climb into the attic and dust off the old paddles, Hammarlund receiver and Heathkit HF transmitter. Nice to see that my old hobby is alive and well.

RamAirRckt

I'm not active at the moment, but wish I could figure out how to install a rig in my 98 GS400. Just no easy good place for a rig up front.....

sliderule0

I have been looking at the Icom IC-7000 as a good choice. I want 6M/2M as well as HF. Understanding that with the current solar flux, my only choices are 20M/40M and 80M. Unfortunately, those antennas are a bit inefficient at typical mobile lengths. I was wondering if it is possible to port the screen to the main screen.

I looked through the manual, but didnt see any prohibitions regarding HF gear. I really am only interested in 100W or so. 2M is really not an issue as a rig I have (Kenwood G707) has a detachable head. Looking at some others such as 706G and Icom 7000. Car is still under warranty, but dont want to have anything denied because of an RF issue....

That is some excellent DX. I only have a couple of them. Right now I am stuck at 276. I just got Afghanistan confirmed on 40M CW using a simple vertical, but ARRL doesnt have any documentation....